Bills extend Doug Whaley’s contract

The Bills didn’t fire G.M. Doug Whaley. But it’s hard to know what kind of a commitment they’ve made to him.

The team announced that Whaley, who had been signed through 2016, signed a contract extension on Sunday. But the team has provided no specific about the terms of the deal.

“We are pleased to announce a multi-year contract extension with our General Manager Doug Whaley,” owner Terry Pegula said. “Doug has demonstrated an excellent eye for talent and has been an asset to the organization on many levels. I look forward to working closely with Doug and coach [Rex] Ryan for many years to come.”

For Pegula, “many years” could be one year, if a recent report from the Buffalo News is accurate regarding the playoffs-or-bust ultimatum given to Whaley and Ryan. Without knowing the number of years covered by Whaley’s extension and, more importantly, the extent to which it’s guaranteed, it’s impossible to know whether Pegula has structured the deal to make it easy to move on after 2016.

So Whaley has job security. Unless he doesn’t. More importantly for the Bills, an impression of continuity has been created for the coming year, regardless of whether the Bills will be deciding to make major changes if a playoff drought that dates to 1999 continues into 2017.

And that may not be bad news for Bills fans. If Whaley and Ryan have jointly been put on notice that they’re in danger of losing their jobs after next season, they have no choice but to work together to help each other, since there’s no way either guy can individually help himself.

Whaley has done his job…PERIOD….any1 who thinks or says he hasn’t or that he’s been a bad GM doesn’t remember the T. Donahue years…or the god awful Russ Brandon GM year…Aaron Maybin anyone??…the one of few bright spots this organization has had….break it down…his 1st two years as “Official GM”…9-7, 8-8….for a perennial loser…it’s a downright incredible job…Many other teams would kill for a guy who brings in this kind of talent,,,i.e. Browns, Jags, Colts, Dolphins, etc

“Whaley has done his job…PERIOD….any1 who thinks or says he hasn’t or that he’s been a bad GM doesn’t remember the T. Donahue years…or the god awful Russ Brandon GM year”

This shows how low the expectations are for some Buffalo fans. Because Whaley is not a complete imbicile like some of our previous GMs, we shouldn’t complain.

Whaley has made some nice moves, granted, but he has also made terrible moves that have hamstrung the organization. These are terrible moves that no other GM was thinking of making (e.g., having EJ Manual be possible starting or backup QB, which cost them two games and the playoffs this year; badly evaluating the WR class coming out in 2014 to move up and draft Watkins, at least equal talent would have been available standing pat; missing on most OL moves; badly overpaying McCoy and Charles Clay, leaving the team little cap space going into this off-season, etc.).

There are many Bills fans that realize we’ve had worse but would still like to hope for a GM that could forge a championship team. Whaley ain’t him.

No, he has financial security. This in no way let’s him or Rex of the hook if they fail next year. It is however a message to Rex that he can’t count on outlasting Whaley and a not so subtle reminder that the cost of a contract won’t save anybody’s spot at the table

Lots of teams could have had Beckham, but didn’t take him. Why pin this on Whaley? More importantly, as a Bills fan, I try to read all pertinent posts, and see the same names post disparaging remarks EVERY TIME! I have to wonder about the mental health of these kids. It seems unhealthy, quizzical even. What’s the payoff? What empty lives. They advertise it too. Sad little kittens.

polkhigh4life | Jan 10, 2016, 6:33 PM EST
Whaley has done his job…PERIOD….any1 who thinks or says he hasn’t or that he’s been a bad GM doesn’t remember the T. Donahue years…or the god awful Russ Brandon GM year…Aaron Maybin anyone??…the one of few bright spots this organization has had….break it down…his 1st two years as “Official GM”…9-7, 8-8….for a perennial loser…it’s a downright incredible job…Many other teams would kill for a guy who brings in this kind of talent,,,i.e. Browns, Jags, Colts, Dolphins, etc

Anyone who thinks Whaley deserved any of blame for the disappointing season, is severely mistaken and likely either knows not what they’re talking about, or have not bothered to take the time to know. The same is said for anyone who thinks this was a poor decision.

widerightyouloseagain | Jan 10, 2016, 7:11 PM EST
He built a team with no QB and lousy character.

Then he could have had Beckham for a 1st round pick, but spent 2 on Watkins instead.

On top of that, he wasted a 1st round pick, EJ Manuel, EJ Manuel.

Wide right, you lose again.

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Built a team with lousy character? Then the very next sentence you state that he could have drafted OBJ instead of Sammy. Im sorry to break it to you, but you contradicted yourself by stating we have character issues and should have gotten OBJ who has no class. EJ was a mistake, I agree with that one, however that pick was on Nix, not Whaley.

1. This one.
2. Miami signs Gase at age 37 with Suh in the lockerrom and a complete cap mess.
3. Pagano and Grigson. Just speechless.
4. Marvie Lewis staying on board as opposed to never winning a playoff game in 7 tries.

They have extended Whaley so his contract length matches that of Rex Ryan. Ryan has 3 years left. Not saying that’s how long they have to get it right, but I think they need to reach the playoffs this coming season or else.

Whether a team goes 0-16 or 16-0, the owner is making billions of dollars. They don’t care enough about football to go out and find a good GM. In the business world, a bad GM can cost you billions. Not in football. Everyone thinks owners are stupid, but they’re laughing all the way to the bank. They just don’t care as much as you do.